Dumfries and Galloway has spectacular pike but nothing in recent years has matched the "Loch Ken Monster" . Pikers interested in a pilgrimage can visit the Kells churchyard, north of New Galloway, where near the eastern wall you will find a tombstone in memory of John Murray who died January 3rd, 1777. The relief has a gun, fishing rod, dog and partridge carved on it. John Murray , the gamekeeper for Sir John Gordon of Kenmure, is famed for having caught the "Loch Ken Monster", the largest pike on record in Loch Ken weighing 72lbs and measuring seven feet in length.

The pike caught in this region are smaller today but fish over 20 lbs are still regularily caught. In November 2005 Alan McFayden from Kirkcudbright caught Scotlands biggest catch of recent years in Milton Loch - an impressive 41 lbs.

Auchenreoch Loch also broke its own record last year when one of our residents landed a catch of just over 24lb

Glenkiln Reservoir, halfway between Lochview Motel and Dumfries has bank and boat fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout
The season is from April 1st until Sept 30th. For further information and permits contact West of Scotland Water (telephone 01387-250000)
Permits can also be obtained from the Bailiff at the reservoir (telephone 01387-730235) Loch Roan, approx. 4 miles north of Castle Douglas has boat fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout. The season is from April 1st until Sept 30th. For further information and permits contact The Sports Shop, King Street, Castle Douglas. (telephone 01556-502851) Further west again on the A75 beyond Newton Stewart, Loch Ronald and Loch Heron both have a reputation for big pike. Loch Ronald feeds the Tarf Water and the River Bladnoch, where there is good river piking to be found outside of the trout season.